WEAPONS AND COSPLAY POLICY

You don’t have to compete to cosplay! ACross invites attendees to wear their costumes or favorite anime gear around the con. For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, please observe the following. (Please note that these rules apply to ALL ATTENDEES, whether or not you are actually wearing a costume!)

A costume, prop, or weapon may be deemed unacceptable if it:

Fails to comply with local laws.

Leaves your feet bare.

Has vulgar remarks or hate speech in any language.

Has dangerous protrusions such as spikes or sharp edges.

Is a costume that extends more than six inches from your body in any direction? (For example, if your costume has a tail, you may hold it next to your body, but not let it trail out behind you.)

Is a prop that is longer than your height? If you are less than four feet tall, your props may be up to four feet long. Props that are too long may be carried in pieces and reassembled for pictures.

Impedes the view of others during seated events.

Has a tightly-strung bowstring.

Has a laser pointer or similar capability.

Has parts made of live steel. Live steel is defined an object crafted from metal that has a point or blade-like edge, whether blunt or sharp. Live steel purchased from vendors must stay boxed while in convention space.

Is a gun-like prop without an orange tip. Gun-like props also must have their firing mechanisms disabled and have nothing loaded.

Is a real firearm.

Is being used or handled unsafely.

Is determined by convention staff to be unsafe.

Cosplayer Interaction Policy

Do not touch another person, or their costume, without permission. Uninvited glomping, hugging, grabbing or roughhousing will not be tolerated. Repeat violators will be ejected from the convention.

Be respectful of others. No harassment, catcalling, verbal abuse, or stalking will be tolerated.

Do not block hallways or public areas while taking photos. If you are taking a photo, please move to one side of the hallway or go outside.

Costume Coverage Policy

This is a family-friendly event; please dress appropriately. Laws of public decency apply — if you could not wear it to the post office, do not wear it at the con. If your costume calls for a thong, pasties or other below-minimum-coverage elements, please wear a bodysuit beneath it. No nudity or adult-themed props/paraphernalia is permitted.

ACross staff reserves the right to make final judgment calls on what is “decent” and what is not. If staff feels that your costume is indecent or inappropriate in any way, you will be asked to change or cover it.

Appropriate footwear is required at all times. If your costume calls for bare feet, you may wear flip-flops or ballet slippers. You make take shoes off only for pictures.

Weapons Policy

ALL WEAPONS must be inspected and approved by ACORE prior to being carried or displayed in public areas. If you are found to be in violation of this policy, your weapon will be confiscated and you may be ejected from the convention.

No projectile weapons of any kind, active or disabled, are permitted without passing weapons check. This includes, but is not limited to:

real firearms

pellet/BB guns

paintball guns

air guns

water guns

cap guns

dart guns

bows or crossbows

nerf guns

(The ONLY exception to this policy is if the person carrying the weapon is a member of law enforcement. Please present credentials to ACORE upon arrival.)

Artificial and replica guns will be permitted, pending inspection by ACORE, if they meet the following criteria:

They cannot now, and have never been able to, fire a projectile. This included nerf guns.

They have a non-removable orange tip

No live steel (edged metal weapons) will be permitted. Replica weapons must be made of a non-metal, non-sharp material, must be no more than 60 inches in length, and must be approved by ACORE. Metal is permitted on a costume garment, provided it does not present a safety hazard, as determined by ACross staff.

Commercial weapon replicas purchased in the dealer room must remain peace-bonded at all times and must be taken directly to your hotel room or car after purchase. They may not be carried around the convention. Noncompliant weapons in convention areas will be confiscated by ACORE.

Props & Accessories Policy

Props carried in public areas must be no more than your height. This is for the safety of all attendees, as well as to prevent damage to personal property. If your prop is larger than your height, please do not bring it into public areas. (Large props which break down are permitted, but please handle them responsibly!)

If you are using a large prop for a special event, such as the Masquerade or for purposes of demonstration in a panel, you may have the prop approved for temporary use in those areas only. The prop must be returned to your hotel room or car immediately when the event is over.

Use caution when carrying or displaying large props. If you are seen wielding a large prop in a reckless or dangerous manner, your prop may be confiscated.

If ACross staff feels that your prop poses a risk to others, you will be asked to remove the item from public areas, or it may be confiscated.

Prohibited Materials

Flammable materials such as candles, fireworks, sparklers, liquid fuels, or other fire hazards are strictly prohibited. Small personal smoking paraphernalia (cigarettes, lighter, etc.) may be carried, but may NOT be used in indoor public convention areas as per local law.

Your costume should not shed. Please avoid loose materials such as sand, glitter, confetti, flower petals or other items that are designed to fall, scatter or otherwise separate from your costume. We want to be welcomed back for next year!

Signs Policy

Signs are not permitted unless they are an intrinsic part of your character’s costume. Personal message signs, fandom signs (such as “Will Glomp for Pocky,” etc.) and similar signs are prohibited.

Clothing that displays messages deemed to be inappropriate or offensive to others (including, but not limited to, explicit language and sexually suggestive or racially offensive material) will not be permitted. ACross staff reserves the right to ask attendees to change or cover offensive clothing. Failure to comply will result in your badge being confiscated.

Handling of Unacceptable Costumes and Props

If you are found with an unacceptable prop, we will ask you to take it to your room. If you are unable or unwilling, or this is a repeat problem, we may ask to confiscate the problem prop. Confiscated props may be claimed from 2 to 6 on Sunday by visiting Convention Operations, after which they will be disposed. You must bring a government-issued photo ID to claim your prop.

The Director of Anime Crossroads Rules Enforcement can render final say on the acceptability of any costume or prop.

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